Provisions to Assist Individuals with Military Training and Experience

The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors has enacted rules to assist military-trained applicants in the licensing process.

§129. Licensure for Individuals with Military Training and Experience, and Military Spouses

A. The board shall issue a license or registration to a military-trained applicant to allow the applicant to lawfully act as a contractor, residential building contractor, home improvement contractor, mechanical contractor, electrical contractor in this state if, upon application to the board, the applicant satisfies all of the following conditions:

1. has completed a military program of training, been awarded a military occupational specialty, and performed in that specialty, and performed in that specialty at a level that is substantially equivalent to or exceeds the requirements for licensure or registration as a contractor, residential building contractor, home improvement contractor, mechanical contractor, or electrical contractor in this state;

2. has engaged in the active practice of contracting in the classification or subclassification for which a license or registration is sought;

3. has not been disciplined in any jurisdiction for an act that would have constituted grounds for refusal, suspension, or revocation of a contractor’s license or registration in this state at the time the act was committed.

B. The board shall issue a license or registration to a military trained applicant, if, upon application to the board, the applicant holds a current license, certification, or registration from another jurisdiction and that jurisdiction’s requirements for licensure, certification, or registration are substantially equivalent to or exceed the requirements for licensure or registration in this state.

C. The board shall issue a license or registration to a military spouse to allow the military spouse to act as a contractor in this state if, upon application to the board, the military spouse satisfies all of the following conditions:

1. holds a current license, certification, or registration from another jurisdiction, and that jurisdiction’s requirements for licensure, certification or registration are substantially equivalent to or exceed the requirements for licensure or registration in this state;

2. can demonstrate competency to act as a contractor through methods determined by the board such as, but not limited to, having completed continuing education units or having had recent experience in the classification or subclassification for which a license or registration is being sought;

3. has not been disciplined in any jurisdiction for an act that would have constituted grounds for refusal, suspension, or revocation of a license or registration to act as a contactor in this state at the time the act was committed;

4. is in good standing and has not been disciplined by the agency that issued the license, certification, or permit.

D. The board shall issue a temporary practice permit to a military-trained applicant or military spouse licensed, certified, or registered in another jurisdiction while the military-trained applicant or military spouse is satisfying the requirements for licensure or registration, if that jurisdiction has licensure, certification, or registration standards substantially equivalent to the standards for licensure or registration in this state. The military-trained applicant or military spouse may practice under the temporary permit until a license or registration is granted, or until a notice to deny a license or registration is issued in accordance with §717.

E. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any applicant receiving a dishonorable discharge or a military spouse whose spouse received a dishonorable discharge.